I remember some years ago that Web 2.0 properties like Hubpages, Squidoo, EZineArticles, and all those other article mills/marketplaces where quite the hit. The reason was because you could dump content to these sites for some easy backlinks and you could also earn a few dollars in the process. The good writers used them for gaining exposure for their work – they put in the effort. The shifty marketers would spin articles like crazy just to overload the platforms for links (which hurt the community … go figure). These sites have been demolished because marketers are like jackals … ready … Continue reading

I have to admit that I’m not that great with conversations. I get nervous because I don’t know what to say let alone keeping the conversation going long enough. But the interesting thing about conversations is that they’re kind of like our affiliate work in the sense that you can run A/B tests with individuals until you’ve come up with a routine that allows you to socialize without much trouble. You may “strike out” with some individuals when talking with them but what you’ll learn is what not really to bring up the next time around. This article is that … Continue reading

For a long while you generally saw the same slew of websites listed as good locations to find “blog images” which generally came down to Flickr and a Creative Common search. Just lately I found a new one … /r/free_images On this Sub-Reddit … “Here you find the best free high-resolution photos. You can use the photos everywhere. All photos are under the CC0 licence. This means you can copy, modify, distribute and perform the photos. The pictures are free for personal and commercial use. All without asking for permission or setting a link to the source.” An image can … Continue reading

Memorial Day is this coming Monday (May 26th). It’s a day that we take the time to reflect and honor all those sacrifices those have made for our country and freedom. I want to tread lightly with this topic, though, because it is a sensitive one. On one hand I believe it’s absolutely important that you use the national holiday to talk with those that have served in the military. It should also be a time when you look back at all that has happened so that we don’t make the same mistakes. On the other hand we, as a … Continue reading

Affiliate marketing is very exciting because there are so few barriers for entry. If you have a good idea and the energy to pursue it then you’re bound to begin earning money by promoting other people’s products and/or services. However … Affiliate marketing requires you to learn and implement a wide range of skills and strategies. Many of which can be difficult for the beginner. The upside is that the affiliate marketing community is very supportive. When you’re stumped or stuck in a rut you can look to the community to provide insight and aid. Knowing which questions to ask … Continue reading

It’s my belief that success in affiliate marketing doesn’t just come from your technical abilities like SEO, SEM, and site development. I believe a big portion of what determines your success depends on the lifestyle you’ve created. A great habit forms a great lifestyle. A great lifestyle forms a great business. To wait idly for the “next big thing” or “great idea” means you’re missing the day-to-day opportunities to create big wins. Taking just one hour of your day to feed your mind, engage your community, and challenge your abilities can go a very, very long way in this industry. … Continue reading

Affiliate marketing, on the surface, is generally easy to understand. You find a product someone wants, you become an affiliate, and then you begin promoting said product. Easy, right? Not always so. Slapping together a website or an email list to begin promoting a product or service is the easy part. Anyone can do it. Chances are that if you take this willy nilly approach you may see a few dollars roll through but it’s not so likely that you’re building an actually business based on affiliate marketing. What really needs to happen is a full understanding of your income. … Continue reading

Pinterest is a gold mine when it comes to content ideas and resources. You can find boards and pins on just about anything. What this means is that if you have an idea for a blog post you can hop over to Pinterest, find one of the power users or popular boards, and slap together a blog post in about five minutes. These become simple (and effective) resource posts that help fill in the content gaps. They’re valuable in the sense that you are condensing the tons and tons of information into a manageable list. Something people need when they’re … Continue reading

A business card is a staple for … business … and since affiliate marketing is a type of business I’m sure you’ve wondered whether it’s worthwhile to invest in a stack of them. I say … why not? It couldn’t hurt, right? Having one certainly gives you the base benefits such as getting your name into the pocket of interested parties but it can also be used as part of your affiliate marketing. Let’s now examine some of the best practices, examples, providers, and ideas you could work into business cards. Basics: The Business Card Best Practices What makes for a great … Continue reading

What I’ve found with blog comments is that you tend to get two type of people: Genuine individuals leaving their thoughts and expertise Disingenuous people using them for link building (or blatant sales) But there’s a lot more to it. As someone who’s built many blogs I can say that it’s very situational to your purpose in the niche (and for business). This is the reason why I want to share the two sides … The Case for Yay Let’s look into some of the positive aspects of comments. It introduces you to the community Commenting on other blogs is … Continue reading